FTA's Middle East guide
Page 11
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THE latest supplement to the FTA's International Service Manual deals with Middle East transport and has been compiled from information gathered from a number of sources. The Association has deemed it wise to disclaim any responsibility for errors or omissions, writes lain Sherriff.
With guides the contents are liable to be overtaken by events—and this appears to have happened before publication in the section dealing with documentation. Whereas the guide states that permits are not required for the Lebanon, last month a British driver was delayed there because, according to the authorities, "he had no permission."
It is difficult to write any kind of rules for Middle East traffic because the rules seem to change at the whim of local officials; the FTA acknowledges this by advising members contemplating Middle East work to undertake a survey beforehand.
While the guide cannot be labelled comprehensive it nevertheless contains much useful information : on documentation; embassy and other official addresses; speed and weight restrictions in certain countries; and suggested winter and summer routes for those in transit in Turkey. There is also an outline map, but variations in the spelling of place names could cause confusion to drivers and perhaps spelling could be standardised when the supplement is reprinted; similarly it would help if the authors would define the summer and winter seasons, which differ from British seasons. The guide is available from the International Department, Freight Transport Association, Sunley House, Bedford Park, Croydon, CR9 IXIJ, price £4.